Filling system for introducing flat articles into a container

ABSTRACT

A filling system and filling device for introducing items for delivery into a delivery bag. The filling device has a stacking mechanism that stacks the items for delivery in the delivery bag. The items for delivery include one or more flat articles, and can include an enclosure unit that is flat, at least partially open on at least one side, and at least partially closed on at least one side, such that the enclosure unit forms an envelope or a pocket. The item for delivery and/or the enclosure unit can have a receiver identification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a system and a method for filling containers with flat articles as well as to delivery bags for use in conjunction with such systems or methods. In this case, the system includes a filling device with a conveying apparatus for conveying the articles as well as a stacking mechanism for stacking the articles in the container.

2. Description of Related Art

Filling systems for stacking articles in containers already exist in various embodiments. For example, a filling system described in US 2004 0 098 948 A1 having a conveying apparatus stacks articles in containers, the containers shown being rigid in form and being stackable in one another in the empty state.

A disadvantage of the existing filling systems is that the containers filled in said systems are only suitable for delivering the articles in a limited manner. Delivering means manually distributing the articles to different recipients and/or to localities associated with the recipients, at least one person as deliverer personally transporting the articles at least over a part section of the path from the filling system to the recipient or to the locality and depositing them manually and in particular carrying them in containers. Different recipients or localities, in particular, can be separated from one another spatially. A typical example of delivering articles is a distribution of items of mail by a mailman.

With respect to the delivering, the filled rigid containers described in the prior art are bulky, unwieldy to transport and awkward to operate. In particular, when removing the articles, the filled rigid containers are awkward to operate when, for instance, a deliverer, on his feet and without any aids or possibilities for putting down or supporting things, has only his two hands to work with. In addition, the containers do not utilize the maximum useful load, movement and operating possibilities or the anatomical characteristics of the deliverers in an ergonomic or efficient manner.

For the abovementioned reasons, the containers filled by filling systems described in the prior art are not used for delivering articles, but rather in internal logistics, for example as transporting and/or collecting containers between stations of processing processes. When articles located in such containers are to be delivered, the articles are, for example, repacked, which is labor-intensive and time-intensive, or the containers are moved individually or in a preferred manner as a plurality by way of motorized or non-motorized conveying means (such as, for instance, automobiles and/or motorcycles or bicycles of every size and design, handcarts and trailers) into the vicinity of the recipient or of the locality, but not to the recipient or the locality themselves. As a result, the deliverer has to cover a distance between the container and the recipient or the locality with the product, which costs time and, particularly when the distance is covered many times, is inefficient.

A further disadvantage of the filling systems described in the prior art is relatively poor accessibility and/or lack of overview of the articles. Certainly, the filling systems frequently stack the articles in the container in a previously defined sequence, but in the majority of cases the articles are only at one stack end and consequently are only accessible sequentially in the previously defined sequence. In addition, it cannot be ascertained simply and quickly whether, where applicable, several articles are to be delivered to the same recipient. Nor is it possible to grasp several articles simply and quickly for the same recipient. The delivering of articles which are stacked in containers by filling systems described in the prior art is not ergonomic and not efficient for these reasons.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is consequently the object of the invention to create a filling system of the type named in the introduction that eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages. A filling system that prepares the articles in a manner suitable for delivering is therefore to be created.

Said object is achieved by a filling system with the features of claim 1.

The containers filled by the filling system are developed according to the invention as delivery bags and the flat articles as delivery units, the delivery units including one or several flat articles.

The filling system according to the invention includes a filling device that has a stacking mechanism. The stacking mechanism stacks delivery units in delivery bags. The advantage of stacking delivery units instead of individual articles is that one or several flat articles are combined in one delivery unit. Printed products (such as, for instance, newspapers and/or journals), mail items, advertising articles, samples, foiled bags including, for example, T-shirts or flags, cards, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, CDs, DVDs, packet soups, tea bags and/or further flat and in particular flexible articles are designated, in particular, as flat articles.

The delivery bag is matched to the possibilities, limitations, requirements and the capability of a deliverer and is simple and efficient to operate and manageable and ergonomic to transport. The delivery bag that is filled by the stacking mechanism can be utilized directly by the deliverer to deliver the delivery units in an ergonomic and efficient manner, and no repacking of the delivery units is necessary. Consequently, the articles can be delivered simply, ergonomically and efficiently following the filling system.

Arriving at the recipient, the deliverer can remove the corresponding delivery unit simply and efficiently out of the delivery bag he is carrying, he has the entire contents of the delivery bag on him and, as a result, is able to shorten and/or save on delivery paths. In a particularly preferred manner, all articles that comprise the same recipient are combined in only one delivery unit such that the deliverer has a good overall view of all the articles and the articles that are associated with each recipient are accessible quickly and simply. As a result of the abovementioned advantages, expenditure on delivery is scaled down, and the number of process steps between the filling system and delivering is reduced.

The filling device comprises a conveying apparatus for introducing flat articles into a container, said conveying apparatus including at least one belt conveyor and in particular at least one double belt conveyor. In any case, an end of the conveying apparatus can be developed, for example, so as to be movable. The conveyed delivery units are discharged by the conveying apparatus at a discharge point, and as a result of an end of the conveyor apparatus that is movable, the discharge point is able to change its position. A movable end of the conveying apparatus can be part of the stacking mechanism. The stacking mechanism can include one or several parts of the filling device. In a preferred manner, in this case, a conveying direction of the conveying apparatus extends to and in the filling device horizontally or substantially horizontally. The conveying direction, in this case, can change direction once or several times in the filling device.

Further preferred embodiments proceed from the dependent claims. In this case, features of the apparatus claims can be combined in an analogous manner with the method claims and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment, the delivery unit includes an enclosing unit that is flat, is at least partially open on at least one side and is at least partially closed on at least one side such that the enclosing unit forms an envelope or a pocket.

The enclosing unit forms an envelope or a pocket which surrounds the at least one article at least in part and combines it in this way. The advantage of this is that a connection between different individual articles can be seen rapidly and simply and the articles with this connection can be grasped together. An enclosing unit forms a surrounding, open envelope and the flat articles included by the enclosing unit are designated as a collection. A delivery unit can therefore preferably consist of an enclosing unit and a collection.

The enclosing unit is flexible and pliable when described in detail. The enclosing unit can be a sheet of paper with a single-layer or multi-layer or single-ply or multi-ply structure. In a preferred manner, at least one layer or ply consists of paper, cardboard or paperboard. Several layers can be bonded together for example. Further layers can consist of metal or plastics material. The plastics material layer can be added to the laminar structure by means of extrusion, lamination or varnishing. The flat, flexible enclosing unit can also consist of a plastics material, in particular a plastics film. The enclosing unit can be a single-leaf or multiple-leaf product. Said multiple-leafed product can be bonded, stitched or glued. The enclosing unit can comprise different surface dimensions and geometries and, for example, can be polygonal or round or can have combined forms. The enclosing unit, in a preferred manner, is realized in a rectangular shape. The enclosing unit can also be in the form of a strip in particular.

In a preferred manner, the enclosing unit is a flat article that is folded or bent along a bending line, such as, for example, a sheet of paper that forms two enclosing portions that are defined by the bending line. In particular, however, the enclosing unit can also consist of at least one top and at least one bottom cover sheet, both of which are connected together at at least one point. The cover sheets are, for example, connected together directly and/or by means of connecting parts. The cover sheets and where applicable also the connecting parts are connected together by means of bonding and/or stitching. The enclosing unit can be realized in particular with multiple parts, for instance by means of several parts which are bonded together and/or by means of several parts which are stitched together.

As an alternative to this, the enclosing unit can also be closed on all sides or open on all sides and can, for example, consist of a top and/or bottom cover sheet or an envelope.

In a further preferred embodiment, the delivery unit and/or the enclosing unit comprises recipient identification.

As a result of recipient identification on the delivery unit and/or the enclosing unit, the recipient of the articles in the delivery unit or the recipient of the delivery unit (which, where applicable, does not have to match a recipient of the articles) is able to be determined simply and rapidly. This facilitates, simplifies and accelerates the delivering.

As an alternative to this, the delivery unit and/or the enclosing unit can also not comprise recipient identification or can comprise data other than recipient identification, for example instructions regarding delivery units which are to be treated in a particular manner or articles included thereby such as, for instance, special delivery, registered mail, fragile, private and confidential or an alternative recipient.

In a further preferred embodiment, the filling device includes an adjustment apparatus for the delivery bag. The adjustment apparatus modifies the position of the delivery bag corresponding to a fill level of the delivery bag.

By changing the position of the delivery bag, the adjustment apparatus can ensure that the delivery bag and the discharge point of the conveying apparatus are arranged in a position in relation to one another that enables a particularly rapid, material-friendly and precise stacking of the delivery units in the delivery bag. The position is changed corresponding to the fill level of the delivery bag such that a stack end in the delivery bag, onto which a further delivery unit is to be stacked, is situated in a position in relation to the discharge point which is particularly good for stacking. As a result of the adjustment apparatus changing the position of the stack end in such an adapting manner, delivery units of different thicknesses can be stacked one on top of another in a secure and material-friendly manner. The adjustment apparatus can displace the delivery bag horizontally and/or vertically, tip it and/or rotate it or can carry out one or several of said movements individually or in combination following one after another. The speed of the change in the position of the delivery bag by the adjustment apparatus can vary strongly. The change in position can be effected continuously or in steps.

The adjustment apparatus can be part of the stacking mechanism. In particular, the stacking mechanism can include the adjustment apparatus and a movable end of the conveying apparatus. The stacking mechanism is able to stack the delivery units into one or several buckle spaces that are realized in the delivery bag, and this in an arbitrary sequence. In a preferred manner, one single buckle space, which is realized in the delivery bag and can also be designated as a storage space or interior or compartment of the carrying bag, is filled up gradually with delivery units from one wall of the buckle space to the other wall. The stacking of the flat articles is effected, in this case, in the stacking direction that points, in particular, substantially in the direction of the force of gravity. The stacking direction refers to the direction in which a stack expands as a result of stacking. A direction points substantially in a determining direction when the direction deviates less than a maximum of 80 degrees from the determining direction.

As an alternative to this, the filling device can also be provided without an adjustment apparatus, or the filling device can also have several adjustment apparatuses. Neither does the adjustment apparatus have to change the position of the delivery bag, but can also change the position of other parts of the filling device, the filling system and/or the delivery units themselves. For example, an adjusting device can move the delivery units from a discharge point of the conveying apparatus to a defined location in the delivery bag. One or several adjustment apparatuses can also be included by parts of the filling system other than by the filling device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the filling device includes a control apparatus that controls the stacking mechanism in such a manner that the delivery units are introduced as an article stream through a first opening of the delivery bag into a buckle space of the delivery bag and the introduced delivery units form a stack in the buckle space.

The stacking mechanism of the filling device can include different parts of the filling device, in particular a movable end of the conveying apparatus and/or an adjustment apparatus. In particular, the stacking mechanism can change the position of the discharge point, the position of a delivery unit, the position of a delivery bag and/or the position of a stack of delivery units. The stacking mechanism is controlled by a control apparatus in such a manner that the stacking mechanism introduces an article stream into the delivery bag and stacks it. The article stream, in this case, can consist in particular of delivery units separated into singles and/or delivery units in shingles and/or in part stacks. An article stream, which includes articles in shingles, is called a shingle stream.

The article stream can also consist, for example, of shingle segments, that is of individual shingles with interruptions or gaps arranged between the shingles in the shingle stream. In particular, the shingle segments can be compressed, i.e. when viewed in the conveying direction, ends of the articles following directly one after another in the conveying direction in the compressed shingle segment are less spaced apart from one another than corresponding ends of the articles in a non-compressed shingle segment or a non-compressed shingle stream. The advantage of compressed shingle segments compared to non-compressed shingle segments is that, for conveying a predetermined number of articles for a predetermined time, it is possible to convey the compressed shingle segments at a slower speed than non-compressed shingles. As a result of conveying a shingle segment at a slower speed, the stacking of the articles in the delivery bag, for example, can also be effected at a slower speed, which allows for particularly precise, particularly reliable and/or particularly material-friendly stacking.

The gaps between the shingle segments can be utilized in particular for the purpose of introducing separating means, bottom and/or cover sheets, articles with additional data regarding the shingle segment and other articles between the shingle segments. Apparatuses and methods for introducing articles are able to utilize the gaps in a corresponding manner. The gap can also be utilized, for instance, in order to supply shingle segments in a targeted manner to different processing steps, for example in order to supply individual shingle segments to different filling devices.

The stacking in the delivery bag can be effected in different stacking steps by, for instance, individual delivery units or also several delivery units together (for example in the form of a shingle, a shingle segment or as a part stack) being stacked one on top of another. The filling device is particularly versatile as a result of the control apparatus, and the filling of the delivery bags can also be accelerated as a result of precisely executed steps and/or can be carried out in a particular material-friendly manner for the delivery unit and/or the delivery bag.

The control apparatus can change, for example, between different speeds and/or different stacking steps such that, for example, individual delivery units, shingles and part stacks can be stacked one on top of another in an arbitrary combination and sequence. In a preferred manner, in a shingle the shoulder of the delivery unit is arranged in front in the conveying direction. The shoulder of a delivery unit can be arranged inside the shingle above or below a delivery unit that is directly in front in the conveying direction in the shingle. When stacking part stacks, in a preferred manner the shoulder of the delivery units lies in the conveying direction.

Data from sensors or sensor systems, in particular, can be available to the control apparatus and it can control the filling device in a manner that is at least partially dependent on said data. Optical sensors, cameras without or with an evaluating system, weighing apparatuses, mechanical counters or probes can serve as sensors or sensor systems. The measuring variables detected by the sensors or sensor systems can be, for example, the stack height of the stack, the fill level and/or the weight of the filled delivery bag, the weight and/or the geometric dimensions and in particular the thickness of the delivery units. The sensors or sensor systems can also detect the number of delivery units in the delivery bag, in the filling device, in the filling system or in a part stack or a shingle segment. The recipient identification can also be detected, for example, by cameras with evaluating systems. A quality check can be effected as a result of detecting the recipient identification. Delivery units with non-matching recipient identification can be detected and said data can be indicated by the filling system and in particular by the filling device. As an alternative to this or in addition to it, the delivery bags can be provided with said data.

The delivery units are introduced in particular by a conveying apparatus in a shingle stream through a first opening of the delivery bag into a buckle space of the delivery bag. The stacking of the delivery units is effected in a preferred manner in a quite specific sequence. In the case of the shingle, the sequence is determined in a preferred manner when the shingle is created, that is prior to stacking, such that the shingle is introduced into the buckle space already in the desired sequence. The delivery bag can comprise several buckle spaces in which the delivery units are stacked successively or in an arbitrary sequence.

As an alternative to this, the filling system can also include the control apparatus without the control apparatus being included by the filling device. The control apparatus can also be provided outside the filling system and, for example, can interact with further control apparatuses. The control apparatus can also be included only in part by the filling system or the filling device. In addition, the control apparatus can also control more than only the stacking mechanism. The control apparatus can, in particular, also control different parts of the stacking mechanism separately or in different combinations. The delivery units can be introduced through different openings into the delivery bag and stacked there. The shoulder of the delivery unit can be arranged prior to and/or during stacking both leading and trailing (above or below).

In a further preferred embodiment, the filling device includes an identification mechanism that provides the delivery bag with additional data during stacking or as a result of the type of stacking of the delivery units.

The identification mechanism provides the delivery bag with additional data during stacking or as a result of the type of stacking by, for example, the delivery bag being provided with at least one identification symbol (for instance at least one marking which is differentiatable by color and/or form, one or several symbols and/or digits, letters, etc., in an arbitrary combination or also images, words and/or complete descriptions). For example, the at least one identification symbol can be printed on paper and introduced into a pocket with a window. Or, for example, the identification mechanism functions in such a manner that a certain delivery unit (or part thereof) is positioned during stacking in a manner that said delivery unit or part thereof is visible from the outside of the delivery bag (for instance through a window) and the contents of the delivery bag can be deduced therefrom. The identification mechanism can be controlled by the control apparatus.

The additional data can include, for example, one or several delivery addresses, the extent of the contents of the delivery bag, the region of the delivery addresses, the delivery zones or delivery routes and/or other data such as, for instance, the weight and/or the type and/or quantity of the contents of the delivery bag, the name of the deliverer and/or particular instructions to the deliverer and/or recipient. The advantage of the additional data is that the delivery bag is identifiable simply and rapidly and simplifies the delivering of the delivery units in this way.

As an alternative to this, the delivery bag can already be provided permanently or temporarily with additional data even prior to the filling by the filling device, and/or the delivery bag is provided with additional data by the filling device prior to and/or after the filling. In addition, the filling system can also include the identification mechanism without the identification mechanism being included by the filling device. The identification mechanism can also be provided outside the filling system. The identification mechanism can also be included only in part by the filling system or the filling device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the filling system includes a shingle distributing means and at least one filling device arranged downstream in the conveying direction.

A shingle distributing means divides a shingle stream into shingle segments, between which there are gaps. In particular, in this case, compressed shingle segments can be created. The advantages of processing shingle segments and in particular compressed shingle segments have already been stated further above, as have the advantages of gaps. If the at least one filling device is arranged downstream of the shingle distributing means in the conveying direction, the shingle segments are able to be processed further directly in a simple, rapid and efficient manner. Where there are several filling devices in the filling system, different shingle segments can be supplied to different filling devices by one shingle distributing means, which can allow for more versatile use of the filling system and increase the filling speed of the filling system.

As an alternative to this, it is also possible for the filling system not to include any shingle distributing means or, however, also several shingle distributing means. In particular, the shingle stream or the shingle segments can also be compressed in the filling system—or also outside the filling system—in a manner other than by a shingle distributing means. For example, for instance by a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt following in the conveyor direction, the first conveyor belt conveying the shingle stream or the shingle segment at a higher speed than the second conveyor belt. The shingle distributing means can also divide the shingle stream up into shingle segments without the shingle segments being compressed and can realize the shingle segments with the same thickness as in the shingle stream or also with less thickness.

Gaps between shingle segments can also be realized in a manner other than by a shingle distributing means. The realizing of the gaps can be effected in the filling system or also outside it. To this end, for example, part of the shingle stream can be accelerated positively or negatively compared to another part of the shingle stream, as a result of which a gap is created. The realizing of gaps between shingle streams and the compressing of the shingle stream and/or of the shingle segments can be effected independently of one another or at least in part in common. The realizing of gaps between shingle segments and the compressing of the shingle stream and/or of the shingle segments can be effected by the same parts or at least in part different parts of the filling system (or by apparatuses not included by the filling system). In addition, the filling device can also be arranged in a manner other than downstream of the shingle distributing means in the conveying direction, for example it can be arranged upstream of the shingle distributing means in the conveying direction, or for instance also beneath it.

Within the framework of the invention, a delivery bag for use in one of the above-described filling systems according to the invention is also claimed. In this case, the delivery bag includes parts that are realized from flexible material.

The delivery bag, in this case, is realized as a bag, sack, knapsack or in general as a transport container that consists at least in part of flexible material. In a particularly advantageous manner, the flexible material consists of a textile planar structure, in particular of a woven fabric. The textile planar structure can include natural or artificial fibers or a mixture thereof. The walls of the buckle space of the delivery bag consist in a preferred manner entirely of a textile material.

The advantage of an at least partially flexible delivery bag is that it is able to adapt to the form and/or quantity of the contents and/or to the effects on the delivery bag from the outside, for example by adapting the form of the bag to the deliverer when he carries it. The delivery bag can, for example, be at least partially enlarged where necessary during filling or reduced again for carrying (in particular can also be brought into a compact form when empty, e.g. by folding or rolling). This increases, for example, comfort and/or ergonomy when dealing with the delivery bag during delivery, allows for better arrangement and weight distribution of the delivery bag with reference to the deliverer and increases the mobility of the deliverer when delivering, for example as a result of an outer volume of the delivery bag being adapted to the amount of the contents.

Adapting the size of the delivery bag is particularly advantageous in particular also where volumes of the delivery units or of the flat articles vary if, for example, a delivery bag is to contain at least, precisely or a maximum of a certain number of delivery units with varying volumes. This is the case, in particular, when a delivery bag is used for delivering items of mail and the delivery bag is always to include the same part of a delivery route that is defined beforehand. The size of the delivery bag can then be adapted to a daily varying volume of the mail to be delivered along said part of the delivery route and always includes all the delivery units for the corresponding part of the delivery route. This makes it possible to deliver the mail in an ergonomic and particularly efficient manner.

Suitable textiles are easily obtainable and economical and can have special characteristics such as, for instance, tightness against fluids, high resistance to tearing and/or wearing and/or defined flexibility or extensibility. The delivery bag can be used in a versatile manner and is economical and light as a result of the flexible parts and, where applicable, also in combination with non-flexible parts. The delivery bag can be provided for single use, however it is advantageous for it also to be used multiple times. The delivery bag is designed typically for a load of 3-20 kg and is essentially no larger than 100×60×50 cm. If the delivery bag is not self-supporting, the filling device can provide means for positioning and for realizing and holding open the buckle space.

In a preferred embodiment, the delivery bag comprises at least one shoulder strap and/or a carrying handle.

As a result of at least one shoulder strap and/or a carrying handle or a loop, the delivery bag can be grasped, held, transported or carried, fastened and manipulated particularly well. Further straps, belts and/or fastening apparatuses such as, for instance, closure systems or possibilities for connection to other delivery bags, suspending apparatuses, belts, carrying systems etc. can make the delivery bag even more versatile to use, in particular for the purposes named for the shoulder strap and the carrying handle.

As an alternative to this, the delivery bag can also be realized without the shoulder strap and/or carrying handle or with other apparatuses, in particular with other apparatuses for transporting, holding and/or carrying the delivery bag.

In a further preferred embodiment, the delivery bag comprises at least one second opening for removing the flat articles out of the delivery bag.

If the delivery bag comprises a second opening, through which the flat articles or delivery units are able to be removed, the delivery units must not be removed out of the delivery bag in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the delivery unit is introduced for stacking in the delivery bag. The delivery units can also be removed through a second opening out of the delivery bag in an arbitrarily selected direction. This is particularly advantageous then if the delivery units can be introduced into the delivery bag with the shoulder in the front and afterwards can be removed out of the delivery bag again with the shoulder in the front. In this way, the shoulder is always aligned in the direction of conveying, which allows for particularly simple, rapid and efficient processing.

As an alternative to this, however, the delivery bag can comprise just one opening. In a further preferred embodiment the first and the second opening of the delivery bag lie on opposite sides of the delivery bag. In particular, the first and second openings are arranged in such a manner that at least one buckle space of the delivery bag essentially forms a passage that passes through the delivery bag when the first and second openings are open.

If the first and second openings of the delivery bag are on opposite sides of the delivery bag, the delivery units can be introduced into the delivery bag, stacked and also removed in the same direction—for example with the shoulder in front. The great advantage of this is that the preferred alignment of the delivery unit, which is to be handled in the simplest and most efficient manner with the shoulder directed forward, is ensured both prior to, during and also after stacking. In a preferred manner, the first and/or second opening of the delivery bag allow for access to the entire width of the at least one buckle space, which facilitates the introducing and removal of the delivery units.

As an alternative to this, the delivery bag can also have just one opening, or the second opening is at a point other than opposite the first opening. The opposite openings can also be different sizes or arranged in an offset manner.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first and/or second opening of the delivery bag comprises a re-closable closure at least for part of the opening. The re-closable closure can include, in particular, press buttons, a zipper or Velcro fastener or tapes, cords or clips.

A closure protects the contents of the delivery bag for example from falling out as well as from weather conditions, impacts, contamination and other outside influences and can also make the theft of individual or several delivery units at least more difficult if not in fact prevent it. In addition, the delivery bag can be used in a more versatile manner; for example the delivery units can be introduced into the delivery bag through a first opening and stacked in a particularly simple, secure and ergonomic manner when other openings are closed. The delivery bag can be moved and transported in an ergonomic and secure manner once the first opening is closed by a closure, for example even with the first opening lying essentially in the direction of the force of gravity, that is in particular beneath the stacked delivery units.

A further advantage of re-closable closures is the possibility of being able to use the delivery bag multiple times. This lowers costs, saves resources and reduces waste.

As an alternative to this, no opening or an arbitrary number of openings of the delivery bag can comprise one or not any closure, and the closure does not also have to be re-closable but can function just the once. An opening can also be closed without a closure, for example as a result of bonding or welding. Elements such as, for instance, an outside or inside pocket, straps or a framework for the delivery bag, which close the opening, can also fulfill the same purpose as described above. It is also possible to realize the re-closable closure by hooks, eyes, snap-type closures and other apparatuses. The bag can also be produced at least in part in the filling system, then filled and, where applicable, subsequently closed and where applicable completed.

A method for filling a delivery bag is also claimed within the framework of the invention. The method according to the invention includes the following steps: the conveying of delivery units in an article stream, and the stacking of the delivery units out of the article stream in a delivery bag. During stacking the delivery units are introduced into the delivery bag through a first opening of the delivery bag with a first end face in front and are stacked substantially in the direction of the force of gravity.

The method can be carried out in particular by a filling system that is described further above and is suitable in particular for filling delivery bags that are described further above. The advantages of the filling system and of the delivery bags are also applicable to the method. The advantages (and alternatives) which are applicable to the corresponding apparatuses or the parts thereof and/or to the delivery bags are also applicable to the following preferred conversions of the method.

In a preferred conversion of the method, the position of the delivery bag is modified corresponding to a fill level of the delivery bag.

In a further preferred conversion of the method, the delivery units are stacked in a previously defined sequence. The previously defined sequence can be orientated in particular to a delivery zone, a delivery route or a delivery round. As an alternative to this, the sequence can also be orientated to urgency, size and/or weight of the delivery units or to other variables or conditions.

In a further preferred conversion of the method, the delivery bag is provided with additional data during the stacking or as a result of the type of stacking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The object of the invention is described in more detail below by way of preferred exemplary embodiments which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an elevation view of a first embodiment of a filling device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an elevation view of a second embodiment of a filling device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an elevation view of a third embodiment of a filling device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a filling device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of an embodiment of a delivery bag;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a further embodiment of a delivery bag; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an elevation view of an embodiment of a filling system according to the invention.

In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with identical references. Insofar as no other specification states the directions precisely, the directional specifications for the imaged figure are applicable in exactly the same way as for a document on which the figure is shown: above designates the direction in which the top edge of the document (e.g. of the page of paper) lies, right the direction in which the right edge of the document lies and so on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a filling device 10. The filling device 10 introduces delivery units 11 into a delivery bag 12 through a first opening of the delivery bag 12 and stacks them there. The delivery units 11 are conveyed by the filling device 10 as a shingle stream 13 in the direction of the delivery bag 12. The filling device 10 comprises a movable end 14 of a conveying apparatus end 14 on its end facing the delivery bag 12. The movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus is mounted so as to be movable about pivot points such that the end of the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus facing the delivery bag 12 can be pivoted substantially along a stacking direction. The stacking direction extends in FIG. 1 substantially horizontally, that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the force of gravity. Stacks with substantially horizontal stacking directions are also called bars. The stacking direction of FIG. 1 is described in more detail further below. The delivery bag 12 can also be moved substantially along the stacking direction.

The filling device 10 includes a conveying apparatus in the form of a double belt conveyor with a top conveyor belt 15.1 and a bottom conveyor belt 15.2. The conveyor belts 15.1 and 15.2 are guided by means of guide rollers 16. The shingle stream 13 that is conveyed between the conveyor belts 15.1 and 15.2 comprises delivery units 11, the closed ends of which are designated as shoulders 17. The shoulder 17 of the delivery units 11 is in front in the conveying direction F of the filling device 10 and lies in each case on top of the delivery unit 11 that runs directly in front in the conveying direction F, which is described as leading on top. In the embodiment of the filling device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the stacking mechanism includes the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus of the double belt conveyor and an apparatus that moves the delivery bag 12 substantially along the stacking direction. The conveyor belts 15.1 and 15.2 are guided around the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus and form a discharge point for the delivery units 11 at the end of the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus.

The shingle stream 13 is conveyed by the double belt conveyor through the filling device 10 in the direction of the delivery bag 12 (the conveying direction F is designated by the arrow in FIG. 1). The delivery units 11 are introduced into the delivery bag 12 and are stacked therein by the stacking mechanism. The stacking direction extends from one wall of the delivery bag 12 that lies closer to a geometric center of the filling device 10 to a wall of the delivery bag 13 that lies further away from the geometric center of the filling device 10. A first delivery unit 11 that is introduced into the delivery bag 12, in this case, is arranged in a buckle space 18 inside the delivery bag 12 against the wall that lies closer to a geometric center of the filling device 10. To this end, in FIG. 1 the delivery bag 12 is arranged at an end of the region which is for movement of the delivery bag 12 and which lies further away from the geometric center of the filling device 10, and the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus is situated in a position pivoted toward the stacking direction (this is shown by the two double arrows in FIG. 1 in the direction of the blank arrowheads).

The buckle space 18 becomes increasingly filled in the stacking direction as a result of continuing to introduce and stack delivery units 11 in the shingle stream 13. In this case, the delivery bag 12 is moved substantially increasingly against the stacking direction, and the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus pivots substantially increasingly in the stacking direction (this shown by the two double arrows in FIG. 1 in the direction of the filled-in arrowheads). In this way, the delivery bag 12 and the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus are positioned with respect to one another in such a manner that the delivery units 11 introduced into the delivery bag 12 come to rest at the position in the stack provided for them.

The side view of a second embodiment of a filling device 10 shown in FIG. 2 differs from the first embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the delivery units 11 are arranged in the shingle stream 13 in such a manner that the shoulder 17 lies, in each case, underneath the delivery unit 11 which runs directly in front in the conveying direction F. This is designated as a shoulder 17 that is leading underneath. In addition, the stacking direction in FIG. 2 is opposite to the stacking direction in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 therefore in contrast to FIG. 1, the first delivery unit 11 introduced into the delivery bag 12 is not arranged against the wall which lies closer to the geometric center of the filling device 10, but against the wall of the delivery bag 13 which lies further away from the geometric center of the filling device 10. To this end, in FIG. 2 the delivery bag 12 is arranged at the end of the region which is for movement of the delivery bag 12 and which lies closer to the geometric center of the filling device 10, and the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus is situated in a position pivoted toward the stacking direction (this is shown by the two double arrows in FIG. 2 in the direction of the filled-in arrowheads.)

Further introducing and stacking of delivery units 11 into the buckle space 18 is effected in the opposite stacking direction, but otherwise analogously to the same operation as in the case of the embodiment in FIG. 1. In this case, the delivery bag 12 is moved increasingly toward the stacking direction, and the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus pivots increasingly in the stacking direction (this is shown by the two double arrows in FIG. 1 in the direction of the blank arrowheads). The delivery bag 11 in FIGS. 1 and 2 also comprises a shoulder strap 20 and two carrying handles 21, only one of the carrying handles 21 being visible.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a filling device 10. As in FIG. 1, the shoulder 17 of the delivery units 11 is arranged leading on top in the shingle stream 13, and the delivery bag 12 is filled increasingly in the stacking direction from the wall which lies closer to the geometric center of the filling device 10 to the wall which lies further away from the geometric center of the filling device 10. In contrast to FIG. 1, the delivery bag 12 is situated in an adjustment apparatus 30. For reasons of clarity the delivery bag 12 is shown in FIG. 3 without any shoulder strap 20.

The adjustment apparatus 30 includes a holder 31 in which the delivery bag 12 is positioned. The holder 31 is tilted in such a manner in relation to a horizontal base that the delivery bag 12 points inclinedly in the direction of the force of gravity on the side facing the shingle stream 13 and inclinedly against the direction of the force of gravity on the side showing away from the shingle stream 13. As a result of the tilted position of the delivery bag 12, the delivery units 11 introduced in the shingle stream 13 can be stacked substantially in the direction of the force of gravity onto the delivery units 11 that are already situated in the delivery bag 12.

In contrast to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, the delivery bag 12 in the third embodiment is not moved substantially along the stacking direction and in the reverse direction, but rather is moved by the adjustment apparatus 30 substantially along the direction of the force of gravity and in the opposite direction thereto, i.e. vertically. To this end, the adjustment apparatus 30 has legs 32.1 and 32.2 that are able to move the holder 31 substantially vertically. In order to arrange a first delivery unit 11 introduced into the delivery bag 12 against the wall of the delivery bag 12 which lies closer to the geometric center of the filling device 10, the holder 31 is first of all moved against the direction of the force of gravity and the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus is first of all pivoted substantially against the stacking direction (this is shown by the two double arrows in FIG. 3 in the direction of the blank arrowheads). As the stack height of the stack or the fill level of the delivery bag 12 increases, the holder 31, and with it also the delivery bag 12, is moved increasingly in the direction of the force of gravity, and at the same time the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus is pivoted increasingly in the stacking direction (shown by the two double arrows in FIG. 3 in the direction of the filled-in arrowheads).

To control the stacking mechanism, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes the movable end 14 of the conveying apparatus and the adjustment apparatus 30, said parts of the filling device 10 are connected to a control apparatus 33. The control apparatus 33 controls parts of the filling device 10 and ensures that the introducing and stacking of the delivery units 11 runs in a problem-free manner. The stack height of the stack or the fill level of the delivery bag 12 is detected by optical sensors that are not shown in FIG. 3, and said data is directed into the control apparatus 33. A weighing apparatus, which is not shown either, detects a total weight of the delivery bag 12 together with the contents and directs said data also into the control apparatus 33. The control apparatus 33 processes said data and controls the corresponding parts of the filling device 10. The filling of the delivery bag 12 is aborted depending on the requirement, for example when a maximum weight is reached (as an example at a total weight of 6 kg).

Along with the sensors (not shown) for measuring the fill level of the delivery bag 12, the control apparatus 33 is also connected to a camera system 34. The camera system 34 consists of a camera with an evaluating unit. The camera system 34 records images, evaluates the images and, as a result, records the recipient identification and number of delivery units 11. The control apparatus 33 can refer back to said data and, as a result, can control, among other things, whether the delivery units 11 are arranged in the correct sequence and are allocated to the correct delivery bags 12. Quality control and/or quality assurance is possible as a result. The camera system 34 is situated above the conveyor belts and is directed onto the shingle stream 13. Where applicable, the camera system 34 can also be arranged between the conveyor belts.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a filling device 10. The filling device 10 corresponds substantially to the embodiment in FIG. 3. The difference to FIG. 3 consists in that in FIG. 4 a delivery bag 40 is arranged in the folder 31 of the adjustment apparatus 30 in a manner that differs to the delivery bag 12 in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 1-3 the delivery bag 12 is filled through the first opening, the first opening being arranged at the top of the delivery bag 12 when the delivery bag 12 is in the position in which it is for delivery.

In the case of the fourth embodiment of the filling device 10, delivery bags 40 are filled, the first opening of which is arranged at the bottom of the delivery bag 40 (when the delivery bag 40 is in the position in which it is for delivery). In FIG. 4 the delivery bag 40 is also filled through the first opening by the filling device 10, and for this reason the delivery bag 40 is arranged the other way round on the holder 31 in relation to the position in which it is for delivery. The first opening now also points substantially against the direction of the force of gravity, and the filling device 10 fills the delivery bag 40 that is positioned the other way around as described in the description to FIG. 3. The first opening can be closed in a re-closable manner with the delivery bag 40 by a bottom flap 41 and a zipper fastened thereto.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a delivery bag 40 according to the invention. Said embodiment of the delivery bag 40 has already been shown in FIG. 4. The delivery bag 40 in FIG. 5 is shown in the position in which it is for delivery. The bottom flap 41 is situated on the bottom side of the delivery bag 40. The carrying handles 21 are movably connected to the delivery bag 40 and point downward in FIG. 5 under the influence of the force of gravity. When, during delivery, the handles 21 are used for holding, fixing and/or transporting the delivery bag 40, the handles 21 are also able to point upward or in other directions.

The delivery bag 40 comprises a cover flap 50 on a side opposite the bottom flap 41, which is on the top side of the delivery bag 40. As the bottom flap 41, the cover flap 50 also consists of part of the delivery bag 40 that is repeatedly connectable to the delivery bag 40 and repeatedly separable from it by means of a circumferential zipper. Both the bottom flap 41 and the cover flap 50 comprise a zipper that extends in the form of a U along or in the vicinity of three of four edges of the side of the delivery bag 40 that can be connected to it. When the zipper is open, the bottom flap 41 or the cover flap 50 remains connected to the delivery bag 40 by means of the remaining fourth edge and is able to be bent away from the delivery bag 40 in the manner of a hinge.

The outside dimensions of the delivery bag 40 are 60×35×25 cm, and the buckle space 18 is dimensioned such that there is enough space to stack C4 size envelopes therein. The bottom flap 41 and the cover flap 50 are arranged with the largest surface on the two sides such that the interior 18 is accessible in a simple and easy manner.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a delivery bag 60 according to the invention. The delivery bag 60 in FIG. 6 corresponds substantially to the delivery bag 40 in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6, just as in FIG. 5, is in the position in which it is for delivery. A representation of the closure mechanisms and openings has been omitted in FIG. 6 for reasons of clarity.

FIG. 6 shows different ways by means of which the delivery bag 60 can be provided with additional data. To this end, the delivery bag 60 comprises pockets 61 and/or windows 62 on the sides on which there is not a first or second opening. The pockets 61 comprise an at least partially transparent outer surface through which the contents of the pockets 61 or of the delivery bag 60 can be seen. By introducing marked objects such as, for instance, inscribed pieces of paper, into the pockets 61, the delivery bag 60 can therefore be provided with additional data which can be ascertained from the markings and can be seen directly on the outer surface of the pockets 61 and consequently on the delivery bag 60.

The windows 62 also make it possible to provide the delivery bag 60 with additional data, for example concerning the contents of the delivery bag. The windows 62 are at least partially transparent and allow someone to look into the delivery bag 60 in the direction of the buckle space 18. If the contents of the buckle space 18 are to be provided or are provided with markings which face the windows 62, or if at least one marked object such as, for instance, an inscribed piece of paper, is to be arranged or is arranged in the buckle space 18 behind the windows 62, the delivery bag 60 is provided with additional data which is ascertainable from the markings.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an embodiment of a filling system according to the invention. The filling system includes two filling devices 10 and 10.2, a conveyor belt point 71 and a shingle distributing means 70. The filling device 10 in FIG. 7 is similar to the filling device 10 in FIG. 3 substantially in design and function. In FIG. 7, the filling device 10 is arranged directly downstream of a conveyor belt point 71 in the conveying direction F. The conveyor belt point 71, in turn, is arranged directly downstream of a shingle distributing means 70 in the conveying direction F. The shingle distributing means 70 divides a shingle stream 72 running through it into individual shingle segments that are conveyed by means of the conveyor belt point 71 either into the filling device 10 or into a filling device 10.2, which is arranged under the filling device 10. The conveyor belt point 71, in this case, utilizes a gap between two shingle segments in order to change between a feed into the filling device 10 and a feed into the filling device 10.2. The shoulder 17 of the delivery units 11 in the shingle stream 72 lies leading on top as the shingle stream 13 in FIG. 3, and the stacking direction in the delivery bags 12 in FIG. 7 is also identical to the stacking direction in the delivery bag 12 in FIG. 3.

The shingle distributing means 70 forms the shingle segments as well as the gaps between them and compresses the shingle segments in relation to the shingle stream for instance by a factor of 3. The spacing between the ends, when viewed in the conveying direction, of the articles directly following one another in the conveying direction is about 100 mm in the shingle stream, in the compressed shingle segment about 30 mm. As a result, the shingle segment can only be conveyed at approximately 0.3-0.4 m per second and the shingle stream at approximately 0.9-1.4 m per second in order to convey the same number of articles over the same time period.

The two filling devices 10 and 10.2 introduce the shingle segment into the delivery bags 12 and stack it there. The delivery bags 12 are arranged in movable holders 31 that are tilted in relation to a horizontal base as in FIG. 3. The holders 31 can be moved corresponding to the fill level of the delivery bags 12 along and against the stacking direction and consequently in relation to the filling devices 10 and 10.2. The advantages of an adjustment apparatus and the use thereof already mentioned are produced as a result. The stacking mechanism of the embodiment in FIG. 7 includes the movable holders 31 and the conveyor belt point 71. The use of a shingle distributing means 70 and a conveyor belt point 71 in combination with two filling devices 10 and 10.2 allows delivery units 11 to be introduced and stacked in delivery bags 12 at a high speed, namely at a pulse speed in an order of magnitude of up to 10 delivery units 11 per second. 

1. A filling system including a filling device with a conveying apparatus for introducing flat articles into a container, wherein the filling device has a stacking mechanism that stacks the flat articles into the container, wherein the container is developed as a delivery bag and the flat articles are developed as delivery units, wherein the delivery units include one or more flat articles.
 2. The filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delivery unit includes an enclosing unit which is flat, is at least partially open on at least one side and is at least partially closed on at least one side such that the enclosing unit forms an envelope or a pocket.
 3. The filling system as claimed in either of claim 1, wherein the delivery unit and/or the enclosing unit comprises recipient identification.
 4. The filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filling device includes an adjustment apparatus for the delivery bag, wherein the adjustment apparatus modifies the position of the delivery bag corresponding to a fill level of the delivery bag.
 5. The filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filling device includes a control apparatus that controls the stacking mechanism such that the delivery units are introduced as an article stream through a first opening of the delivery bag into a buckle space of the delivery bag and the introduced delivery units form a stack in the buckle space.
 6. The filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filling device includes an identification mechanism which provides the delivery bag with additional data during stacking or as a result of the type of stacking of the delivery units.
 7. The filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filling system includes a shingle distributing device and at least one filling device arranged downstream in a conveying direction.
 8. A delivery bag for use in a filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delivery bag includes parts that are realized from flexible material.
 9. The delivery bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the delivery bag comprises at least one shoulder strap and/or a carrying handle.
 10. The delivery bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the delivery bag comprises at least one second opening for removing the flat articles out of the delivery bag.
 11. The delivery bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and/or second opening of the delivery bag comprises a re-closable closure selected from the group consisting of press buttons, a zipper, Velcro fastener or tapes, cords, and clips, for at least part of the opening.
 12. The delivery bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and the second opening of the delivery bag lie on opposite sides of the delivery bag and are arranged such that at least one buckle space of the delivery bag essentially forms a passage that passes through the delivery bag when the first and second openings are open.
 13. A method for filling a delivery as claimed in claim 8 with a filling system as claimed in claim 1, said method including the steps of: convey delivery units in an article stream, and stack the delivery units from the article stream in a delivery bag, wherein the delivery units are introduced into the delivery bag through a first opening of the delivery bag with a first end face in front and the delivery units are essentially stacked in a direction of the force of gravity.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the position of the delivery bag is adapted corresponding to a fill level of the delivery bag.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the delivery units are stacked in a previously defined sequence.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein, during stacking or as a result of the type of stacking, the delivery bag is provided with additional data. 